First and Only Parent Child Center in the District of Columbia

Early Care and Education

Children engaged in sensory play with cotton-like material at a table

First and Only Parent Child Center in the District of Columbia

Teach Children Early

A curious infant is crawling on a blue carpet

First and Only Parent Child Center in the District of Columbia

Connect with Family Services

Young girl in a pink shirt and pink pants joyfully plays a drum

First and Only Parent Child Center in the District of Columbia

Early Care and Education

A caregiver reads a colorful book to a group of young children seated on a carpet

First and Only Parent Child Center in the District of Columbia

Connect with Family Services

Non-Profit Organization

Explore Early Childhood Education in Washington, DC

Children actively collaborate on a large green paper

Early Childhood Education and Family Support Organization

Welcome to the Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc., a trusted non-profit family support organization delivering early childhood education in Washington, DC. Through Head Start, Early Head Start, and community-based programs, we provide high-quality early learning, health and developmental services, nutrition, disability assistance, family support services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and school-readiness programming that prepares children and families for lifelong success.

For generations, we have helped many children grow, learn, and succeed while helping families build stronger futures. Our services are geared toward low-income children and families. We have prepared a program designed to promote the high-quality development of children and to enable parents to fulfill their roles as they move forward towards self-sufficiency.

We participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which provides healthy meals and snacks to children in our care. Meals are available to all enrolled participants at no separate charge and are served without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. We adhere to non-discrimination policy available at: https://www.usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement.

Who We Are

We aim to team up with families and collaborative partners to close the achievement gap for disadvantaged children – starting in the early years, to give them a better chance of reaching their full potential. This premise was pioneered and nurtured in 1967 by Mrs. Ruth Rucker, Founding Director of the Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc.

Our Vision

We envision all children and families in our care leaving our organization stronger, healthier, empowered, and prepared to live responsible, productive, and creative lives and meet life’s opportunities and challenges in a dramatically changing world.

Our Mission

Our mission is to partner with families, community leaders, and collaborative partners to ensure children and their families reach their full potential. Together, we aim to close the Achievement Gap, work toward ending economic disparities between poor and middle-income families, and provide the highest-quality comprehensive child and family services to the children we serve.

Our Early Education Services

We provide full-day comprehensive child development services at three locations in Washington, DC, that serve children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age.

Infant Program

Loving and responsive care for children during the earliest stages of development.

Toddler and Two-Year-Old Programs

Our toddler classrooms channel young energy into positive learning experiences through structured play, exploration, and hands-on activities.

Preschool Program

We help children become independent thinkers and lifelong learners. The curriculum supports critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and school readiness.

Learn More

We also serve families in nearby neighborhoods who need quality childcare.